Trust for Growth
The church is charged to spread the good news of Jesus Christ to as many people as possible, trusting God for the result. In the parable, the sower didn’t worry about the condition of the soil; he just kept on
sowing seed. In Matthew 13:24-43, Jesus gives three encouragements about the church in the world through His use of parables: “the kingdom of heaven is like …” First, we are encouraged that evil will be overcome—“At harvest time I will tell the reapers, ‘Gather the weeds first and bind them in bundles to be burned.’” (v.30) Satan seeks to destroy the church by mingling his children with God’s children. Sometimes it is almost impossible to discern the false from the true. But at the end, the righteous will shine as the sun in the Father’s kingdom. Actually, believers already shine because they possess the Spirit of Christ and the message of the gospel. Second, we are encouraged that many will be saved—“[The mustard seed] is the smallest of all seeds, but when it has grown it is larger than all the garden plants and becomes a tree.” (v. 32) Jesus will build his church and it is up to him who should and will be included. Our task is to spread the gospel wherever and to whomever. Third, we are encouraged that everyone will be affected—“The kingdom of heaven is like leaven that a woman took and hid in three measures of flour, till it was all leavened.” (v. 33) We are encouraged that God’s Kingdom grows and penetrates the whole world. This parable presents the kingdom as the actual pervading force in the world. Believers are called and empowered to change the world with the good news. Influence for the Kingdom of God occurs when Christians are in circulation with those who are not yet redeemed. All won’t be saved, but all will be confronted and impacted. Be a part of what Jesus Christ is doing to change this world with the good news His Kingdom.
Sin cera, Erik
Erik O. Garthe is Associate Pastor at Canton Baptist Church in Baltimore, Maryland.